The event, held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, was part of FAO Pesticide Risk Reduction in Bangladesh Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The workshop aimed to align Bangladesh’s pesticide management policies with European Union (EU) standards and national regulations, ensuring that fisheries products meet international safety requirements.

Strengthening Food Safety and Export Standards

Bangladesh has established itself as the third-largest producer of farmed fish globally, exporting to over 50 countries, including the EU, the US, and Japan. However, the country faces growing challenges due to chemical contamination and pesticide residues in seafood. Addressing these concerns is crucial for maintaining export credibility and consumer trust.

FAO Bangladesh’s Deputy Representative, Dia Sanou, emphasized the significance of updating regulations, stating that revised guidelines would help maintain quality assurance in fisheries, protect public health, and strengthen Bangladesh’s position in global seafood markets.

Meanwhile, Shahina Ferdousi, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock (MOFL), acknowledged the FAO’s collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in training officials, improving dried fish processing, and monitoring pesticide residues to enhance seafood safety.

A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Growth

The revised NRCP and PRMP guidelines were developed through comprehensive consultations, including focus group discussions (FGDs) in Khulna, Gazipur, and Dhaka. These updates aim to:

• Reduce pesticide risks in fisheries and aquaculture
• Ensure food safety compliance for both local and international markets
• Improve fish drying and processing methods
• Strengthen Bangladesh’s export potential

The workshop underscored FAO’s ongoing commitment to sustainable and responsible fishery practices, reinforcing the “Four Betters” approach:

1️⃣ Better Production – Implementing improved aquaculture and processing methods
2️⃣ Better Nutrition – Ensuring seafood safety and quality
3️⃣ Better Environment – Minimizing chemical contamination
4️⃣ Better Life – Supporting the fisheries industry for economic growth

The post FAO supports Bangladesh in strengthening fisheries and livestock exports appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

Year after year, thousands of fishermen and their hired workforce flock to this vibrant locale, driven by the mission to catch and process an array of seafish.

This season, the forest department has granted permission for the setup of 108 temporary houses and 78 depots, catering to the accommodation needs of fishermen and facilitating the preservation of dried fish. The Sundarbans will witness the deployment of 1500 trawlers, capturing and processing fish to be sun-dried.

Dublar Char is already bustling with activity as permits for fish harvesting have been issued. In the previous year, the government reaped BDT 60 million (US $545 thousand) in revenue from this bustling village. This year, an ambitious target of BDT 70 million (US $636 thousand) has been set.

Various fish species, including Loitta (Bombay duck), Faissa (mullet), Koral (Asian Sea Bass / Barramundi), Pomfret, Chhuri (Ribbonfish), Tuna and more, undergo processing at Dublar Char. The demand for dried fish from this region is particularly high, given the chemical preservative and pesticide free processing methods employed.

Rabiul Islam, a fisherman from Rampal Upazila, shares his experience of a busy day spent crafting makeshift houses with bamboo, polythene, and hogla (long dry grass used for sheds) upon arriving at Dublar Char.

Shahid Mallik, president of Matsyajibi Samity (a fishermen association), notes the influx of thousands of fishermen, some already present in the area while others venture into the sea for fishing expeditions.

Dilip Majumdar, the officer-in-charge of Alorkol camp, describes the industrious scene of fishermen constructing temporary shelters, a process taking two to three days for completion. Simultaneously, some fishermen engage in processing their catch under the open sky.

Rana Deb, assistant forest conservator of Sundarbans East zone, outlines that the dried fish processing season commenced on November 3 and will persist until March 31 next year. During this period, fishermen will reside in Alorkol, Majherkella, Narikelbaria, and Shelar Char for five months.

Sheikh Mahbub Hasan, assistant conservator of the Sundarbans Forests under Sharankhola Range, emphasizes the need for vigilance, ensuring that no one, masquerading as fishermen, commits crimes on Dublar Char. As the vibrant season unfolds, Dublar Char stands as a dynamic hub, embodying the rich tradition of dried fish processing and coastal camaraderie.

The post Dry fish season kicks off at Dublar char in the Sundarbans appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

Bangladeshi people consume a lot of dried fish in their diet. It makes up the fourth-largest portion of all fish consumed and is the variety of fish that is cheapest for customers of all income levels.

Currently, 20% of Bangladesh’s 0.6 million tonnes of marine catch is preserved as dried fish for subsequent use and exports, bringing in about $2.5 million annually. The primary marine and freshwater species that are dried include Loitya (Harpodon neherius), Chhuri (Lepturacanthus savala), Punti (Puntius sarana, P. stigma), Chapila (Gadusia chapra), Lakhua (Polynemus indicus), Rupchanda (Pampus chinensis), and shrimps (Metapenaeus species and Penaeus species).

However, in Bangladesh, fish are mostly sun-dried, exposing them to environmental pathogens and pollutants. Furthermore, dangerous chemical pesticides are frequently used to protect dried fish from flies, beetles, and other insects.

The biggest issue with sun drying is inefficiency, and the end product’s quality. The dried product suffers from several drawbacks when improperly sun-dried. Under bad operational conditions (rain, gloomy weather, lack of sunlight, etc.), sun drying takes several days, affecting the quality of the final product; And the chance of contamination with dust or sand or insect infestation is significant. A major concern is the excessive use of pesticides by certain farmers to minimize insect infestation, which eventually degrades the quality of the product and endangers human health.

The open-air drying process relies solely on sunshine and is undeniably primitive and vulnerable to unexpected rain or storms. Traditional sun-drying uses a lot of salt for long-term preservation and weight advantage, but it is also unhealthy for human consumption.

The situation is now changing, thanks to the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR, also known as Science Lab), as they proposed a safe method of drying fish.

With their newly invented method, most of the problems of sun drying may be solved in the dehydration process since drying is done in a controlled environment, and the desired quality of the finished product can be maintained. Dehydrated goods have a longer shelf life than sun-dried goods.

BCSIR experts also showed UV exposure light, which all dryer-dried fish pass through, significantly lowering the danger of diseases or germs.

BCSIR experts expect that if companies involved in dried fish manufacturing start using commercial fish dryers, Bangladesh’s name will be added to the list of the highest-ranking dried fish export country, which includes Vietnam, Ecuador, and India.

“The taste of fish would remain intact if fishermen preserved dry fish using the new methods and without harmful chemicals. This is increasing the popularity of dried fish among individuals of all financial backgrounds,” said Cox’s Bazar district fisheries officer FM Khalequzzaman.

A sophisticated drying facility costs Tk 17 lakh (USD 17000), but the return is worth the investment. According to BCSIR experts, if Bangladeshi dried fish manufacturers use dryers instead of sun drying, their dried fish production costs will be cut in half since dryers require less labour, no pesticides, and are faster and more hygienic.

Dry fish export possibilities are not brand-new ideas, and Bangladesh already exports a few different types of dry fish to the US, the UK, and Middle Eastern nations. During the production peak, Cox’s Bazar’s Nazirartek Shutki Palli employs at least 20,000 people. Therefore, the dried fish industry generates both foreign income and work prospects. However, this industry has not developed as much as one might anticipate.

As a result, there appears to be a large need for dried fish both domestically and overseas, as well as a potential market for it, but Bangladesh produces far less dried fish than is required to satisfy domestic demand. In reality, it’s just around 70%, with the rest coming from Myanmar, Pakistan, and India imports.

The difficulty may be overcome with the right supervision and investment and the proper use of drying facility. The time has come to take a closer look at this industry and require the necessary backing from the government.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post BCSIR developed efficient and hygienic methods for dry fish production appeared first on Seafood Network BD.